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Home » Recipes » Salad

BBQ Chickpea Salad with Avocado Ranch

Nov 7, 2023 by Kaitlin · 22 Comments

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This fresh and colorful vegan BBQ Chickpea Salad is so flavorful & satisfying! It's tossed with a homemade avocado ranch dressing, then topped with warm, saucy BBQ chickpeas. (Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free.)

Overhead view of vegan BBQ chickpea chopped salad with avocado ranch dressing and serving spoon

This is my vegan version of the classic BBQ Chicken Salad. It's so easy, healthy, and most of all delicious!

I originally created & posted this recipe in early 2015, and still love it just as much.

Plus it's so simple to assemble! We chop up crisp, colorful veggies and toss them in a homemade avocado ranch dressing. Then top it with warm, saucy BBQ chickpeas. (Yes!)

The flavors come together so nicely, plus it's easy to customize with your favorite veggies. It's great for lunch, dinner, take-along lunches, meal prep, etc.

Chopped romaine lettuce, garbanzo beans, sweet corn, BBQ sauce, carrots, and tomato ingredients laid out on a metal tray

Ingredients for BBQ Chickpea Salad

For this recipe you'll toss together in a large bowl:

  • Garbanzo beans (chickpeas): These are perfect for a plant-based chicken replacement. Chickpeas have a tender, hearty texture and are rich in plant-based protein and fiber. They're absolutely delicious simmered in BBQ sauce!
  • BBQ sauce: Use your own favorite BBQ sauce for this recipe. Either homemade or store bought works great. (For a homemade version, try this easy homemade BBQ Sauce.)
  • Romaine lettuce: You'll need one large head romaine, or about 5-6 cups chopped. I like romaine best, but you can substitute other baby greens, kale, spinach, or lettuce instead.
  • Cooked sweet corn: You can either use cooked fresh, canned, frozen, or fire-roasted.
  • Grape tomatoes: Or cherry tomato, roma tomato, plum tomato, or other garden tomatoes. I like grape tomatoes best in this recipe because they have a rich, sweet flavor.
  • Shredded carrots: Either buy pre-shredded carrots in the produce section for convenience, or you can shred/grate your own.
  • Green onion (scallion): Or you can use red onion for a stronger flavor.
  • Ranch dressing: I use my homemade vegan Avocado Ranch Dressing for this recipe. It's made with ingredients like fresh herbs, vinegar, lemon juice, dairy-free milk, and creamy avocado. But if you'd like a more classic version, try this Vegan Ranch Dressing (or simply use your own favorite ranch dressing)!
Overhead view of chickpeas simmering in BBQ sauce in a small skillet with spatula

Customizing

Veggies: Add other vegetables like cucumber, shredded red cabbage, sugar snap peas, bell pepper, diced avocado, or whatever else sounds good.

Fresh herbs: For even more flavor, include herbs like fresh parsley, cilantro, basil, dill, or chives to taste.

Storing

Store the dressing, BBQ chickpeas, and salad in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. (This helps it stay fresh & crisp.) Then toss it together when ready to serve. If stored separately, I find it keeps for about 3-4 days.

Close-up view of vegan BBQ chickpea salad with avocado ranch dressing on a white plate

For more inspiration, also browse all vegan salad recipes or chickpea recipes.

Close-up view of vegan BBQ chickpea salad with avocado ranch dressing on a white plate

BBQ Chickpea Salad with Avocado Ranch

A fresh & colorful vegan BBQ "chicken" salad! Tossed with a creamy avocado ranch dressing, and topped with warm, saucy BBQ chickpeas.
4.91 from 11 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Comment
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Author: Kaitlin - The Garden Grazer
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Gluten-Free, Oil-Free, Vegan
Servings: 3 large salads

Ingredients

For the BBQ chickpeas:

  • 15 oz. can chickpeas
  • 2/3 cup BBQ sauce

For the salad:

  • 1 large head romaine (about 5-6 cups chopped)
  • 1 cup sweet corn, cooked
  • 1 1/2 cups grape tomatoes
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 2-3 green onions
  • 1 cup Avocado Ranch Dressing

Instructions

  • Make the dressing: Or you can prepare this in advance and store in the fridge until ready.
  • Make the BBQ chickpeas: Rinse and drain chickpeas. In a skillet over medium-low heat, add chickpeas and BBQ sauce. Simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. (Feel free to add a splash of vegetable broth or water to slightly thin the sauce if desired.)
  • Prepare salad: Meanwhile, chop the romaine, tomatoes, and green onion. Place in a bowl. Add corn and carrots. Toss to combine.
  • Assemble: When ready to assemble, toss salad with desired amount of dressing, then top with warm BBQ chickpeas.

Notes

Storing: This keeps best if the dressing, BBQ chickpeas, and salad are stored separately.
Ranch variation: For a more classic-style recipe, try this Vegan Ranch Dressing made with cashews or tofu.
Serving: This makes about 3 large dinner salads, or 6-8 smaller side servings.
Fresh herbs: For even more flavor, add fresh parsley, cilantro, basil, dill, chives, etc.
Recipe originally published February 2015. Updated November 2023.

Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)

Nutrition Facts
BBQ Chickpea Salad with Avocado Ranch
Amount per Serving
Calories
410
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
11
g
17
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
3
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
5
g
Potassium
 
1117
mg
32
%
Carbohydrates
 
70
g
23
%
Fiber
 
14
g
58
%
Sugar
 
30
g
33
%
Protein
 
13
g
26
%
Vitamin A
 
9426
IU
189
%
Vitamin C
 
33
mg
40
%
Calcium
 
182
mg
18
%
Iron
 
4
mg
22
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Sodium content: This is omitted as I cannot provide an accurate number. I encourage you to calculate your own to provide a much more precise reading based on the exact ingredients, brands, and amounts you're using.

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If you're enjoying this vegan BBQ Chickpea Salad recipe with avocado ranch, also check out:

  • Portobello Mushroom Fajitas
  • Cucumber Tomato Salad
  • Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili

Follow The Garden Grazer on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, or Facebook for more updates and inspiration.

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Comments

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    Recipe Rating:




  1. Jennifer says

    April 22, 2023 at 8:19 pm

    5 stars
    This was a very tasty salad! The flavours were very complimentary to each other… and the dressing!! Wow! So good! Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe!
    BTW, do you happen to have a homemade bbq sauce recipe?

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      April 24, 2023 at 9:46 am

      So great to hear you enjoyed the flavors in this one, Jennifer! I don't have a BBQ sauce recipe posted yet, although I've been testing many and just haven't landed on my favorite to share. Hopefully I'll get one up soon as it's been high on my priority list. (Update: My BBQ sauce is now linked in the recipe!)

      Reply
  2. Clarissa says

    July 27, 2022 at 1:55 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you for this recipe! It was delicious. I added the juice from half of a lime to the dressing and it was so good. The salad was also great with a sprinkle of shredded cheese.

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      July 27, 2022 at 4:35 pm

      Hi Clarissa! That's awesome to hear, and great call with the lime juice in the dressing and added cheese! Thanks so much for sharing your kind and helpful feedback. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Jessica says

    July 04, 2021 at 2:32 pm

    5 stars
    This is so fresh, flavorful, and filling. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      July 04, 2021 at 3:43 pm

      Great to hear you enjoyed!

      Reply
  4. Victoria says

    May 31, 2017 at 6:53 pm

    My family is half vegetarian and half meat-eaters. I made this with the chickpeas and bbq chicken (for those who eat chicken). Everyone LOVED it and said we didn't even need the chicken. Getting added to the recipe rotation for sure! Thank You!

    Reply
    • Kaitlin | The Garden Grazer says

      August 18, 2017 at 7:10 pm

      That's great! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  5. Tasha Willett says

    December 12, 2015 at 6:09 pm

    I just made this for lunch and it was awesome! I had all the ingredients except tomatoes but I will add those in next time. This recipe is a keeper.

    Reply
    • Kaitlin | The Garden Grazer says

      December 19, 2015 at 1:11 am

      Thanks for sharing your kind feedback!

      Reply
  6. Melissa Dressely says

    September 13, 2015 at 12:03 am

    Very easy to make, and I had most of the ingredients on hand. Delicious!!! The dressing is creamy and thick.

    Reply
    • Kaitlin | The Garden Grazer says

      September 16, 2015 at 10:35 pm

      Wonderful to hear you enjoyed, Melissa!

      Reply
  7. Carmen says

    April 26, 2015 at 5:05 pm

    Just made this for lunch...so good!

    Reply
    • Kaitlin | The Garden Grazer says

      April 27, 2015 at 4:39 pm

      Awesome, Carmen! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  8. Everyday Foodie says

    April 23, 2015 at 10:17 pm

    Made this earlier this week and had the leftovers tonight (each part stored separately) and it's super yummy!

    Reply
    • Kaitlin | The Garden Grazer says

      April 24, 2015 at 1:49 pm

      Great idea! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  9. JM says

    April 22, 2015 at 4:42 pm

    Loved it! Thank you for restoring our faith in plant-based eating! (We started eating this way just over a month ago and have had a lot of "ok" meals.)

    Reply
    • Kaitlin | The Garden Grazer says

      April 23, 2015 at 2:11 pm

      Thank you! So glad to hear you enjoyed it. Hope you find some other recipes you love just as much!

      Reply
  10. Gina Holmes says

    March 20, 2015 at 10:00 am

    This was excellent. Looking forward to trying many more of your recipes.

    Reply
    • Kaitlin | The Garden Grazer says

      March 21, 2015 at 11:52 pm

      Wonderful, thanks for the kind feedback!

      Reply
  11. Mandy says

    March 05, 2015 at 4:01 pm

    I made this for dinner the other night and my husband and I gobbled it up. Another great recipe! Thank you! Your recipes have consistently been some of our favorite vegetarian/vegan meals.

    Reply
    • Kaitlin | The Garden Grazer says

      March 05, 2015 at 4:52 pm

      That's so great to hear! Thank you!

      Reply

Hello, I'm Kaitlin!
I live in Montana and share vegan recipes that are easy and healthy. About Me →

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